DC Craft Show Artists...

I collected cards from people I talked to at the show. There was so much to see, so much that I really enjoyed. As I sifted through the cards I had collected to look at web pages, I found that some of the artists did not have websites. Some did, but were not updated with current works, and some people were linked onto the webpages of the galleries or art centers they were a part of. I had always just assumed that artists in shows such as this one were fully linked on the web. It seems as though I'm not the only artist craftsperson without a website after all. As I continue to contemplate and organize for my own fully functional site, check out the work of some of the artists showing in DC:

Carolyn Morris Bach- a jeweler creating intricate and whimsical pieces with precious stones and metals, depicting animals, plant forms- stunning work

Jeong Ju Lee- she is a resident at Penland, and works in metal

Sandra Byers- a sculptural ceramicist who works in porcelain

Linda Kindler- Priest- a jeweler creating delicate forms depicting animals through chasing and repousse on gold, coupled with precious stones.

Jaclyn Davidson- a metalsmith who currently works with blacksmithing techniques to create jewelry, embellished with gold and diamonds

Scott Nelles- a foundry worker who creates whimsical, humorous functional sculpture

Robert Farrell- a metalsmith creating functional and non- functional work, jewelry

Myung Urso- a fiber artist and metalsmith, who stitches hand dyed, printed fabrics and thread to metal frameworks for the body

Baharal- Gnida- a team of two that create gorgeous jewelry, structural and seductive to the eye

Biba Schutz- a metalsmith creating for the body, patinated, bold designs

Jennifer Falter- a ceramicist from Springfield, MO, creating simple forms of white clay, then coating with black slip. she carves through the black slip to reveal designs of flora and fauna.

Check these guys and gals out- you won't be disappointed. I am so inspired by these people and what they can accomplish with their hands. Time to get my hands busy in the studio!

DC Craft Show

Over the first weekend of November, I was able to attend the DC Craft Show, as an assistant to Joan Dulla. The show was held in the Washington Convention Center, in the heart of the district. There were 190 artists showing, and it was a beautiful mix of work.

Joan's money teapot made the cover of the program, what a great surprise for her, not to mention the publicity! Joan was interviewed on the local Fox network the day before the show's opening.

This was Joan's booth, her cousin Lucy joined as well. We had a blast! Joan taught me lots about the business: the real deal, as opposed to just talking about things. I learned a lot! I was given time to go explore and talk to other artists vending. Getting different perspectives, different ideas about the way things work. Here is a view from above, only showing a portion of the hall the Craft Show filled.

I have been reading Madeleine Albright's book, Read My Pins. It's a good one, whether you are into jewelry, politics, or just body adorment in general. The former secretary of state was in attendance, and gave an interview with a book signing. It was pretty neat to listen to the stories come from her, not just pages in a book. She's a smart and funny woman to say the least!

My next post will be about some of the artist's I really enjoyed at the show. If you are ever in the vicinity of DC during the times of this event, it is well worth the trip! Thanks, Joan!!

Art Reach

My latest bunch(most of them!) of kids for Arrowmont's Art Reach program! These guys are high school seniors, we had a blast cuttlebone casting with pewter.

Arrowmont has been running a program for years that allows students of all ages in area schools to come in for a day and participate in an art class. This year, there is a photography class, two different ceramics classes, a wood turning class, and a fibers class making batiked bandanas. It is great for the kids because they are getting to experience things outside the norm: art in school is limited in this area to say the least, most students spend about 30 minutes per week with their art teachers. I really enjoy my time with these kids, and I want more! They are a treat to have on campus, and so much fun to work with!

These last two pieces are from my fifth graders! They are both T's, but for very different reasons. The first is a "power T", significant in the football culture here, and the second, a very feminine initial! I wish I had more to share, but the time flies and before you know it were out of it! Today's group had a great cast and some very refined work.... can't wait to see what next week will bring!